As many as eight students from different streams of science, commerce, arts and home science bagged the first position in the Higher Secondary Examinations this year. Among the eight toppers are two boys and six girls who have become role models for others, Ruwa Shah and Sana Fazili report.
For Kamran Qureshi, it has been consistent hardwork throughout the year due to which he bagged the first position in science stream by scoring 490 marks out of 500. A resident of Ganderbal, hardwork for him doesn’t mean continious study of 10-15 hours per day. “I studied 3-5 hours daily from the beginning of the session. That made it convenient for me to revise during examinations”, says Kamran, an aspiring doctor.
Kamran, who got his schooling at New Dreamland, Ganderbal, credits his success to his teachers. His father, Mushtaq Ahmed Qureshi, is Zonal Educational and Planning Officer while his mother, Muzaffara Jabeen, is a home-maker. He says his family including his sisters who are pursuing MBBS from Govt Medical College, Srinagar have been very supportive and inspiring for him. “To be very cool and confident during the exams is one important thing which will always lead to success”, he says.
Amara Wani, another topper in science stream and a resident of Firdousabad, Batamaloo, credits her success to her father, Muzzafarul Islam Wani. “After Almighty Allah, my parents have been very supportive and always expected a lot from me,” she says. She had always focussed on her studies due to which she topped all the classes since her childhood.
Amara was schooled at Tiny Hearts School, Srinagar till her matriculation and Iqbal Memorial Institue (Girls Wing) Bemina, Srinagar. She dedicates her success to her teachers, apart from her parents and teachers. “It’s myself who inspired me the most. I believed in my potential. I studied 10-15 hours regularly, though private tuitions and school grabed most of the time but I always managed to complete my course of daily study,” Amara, an aspiring cardiologist, says.
Bisma Zahoor, a resident of old town in Baramulla and the only topper in her district, aspires to serve the female folk of society by working as a gynaecologist. Daughter of a businessman, Zahoor Ahmad, she credits her family for inspiring her to work hard. “It is the efforts of my family, especially my grandparents, for where I stand now,” Bisma, who topped the science stream, says.
Bisma believes the students of Kashmir don’t lack talent and intelligence, “Where they lag behind is the exposure and proper guidance,” she says. St. Joseph School, Baramulla was the platform where she explored and replenished her talent.
Mehran Ali, who shared the top positon in science with four others, credits his success to his parents, teachers and his school. Mehran, son of an Electrical engineer Maqsood Ali Banka, expressed gratitude to all his mentors for guiding him from the very beginning.
Mehran is currently studying in Kota, Rajathan, to crack engineering entrance examinations. “I want to pursue my career in engineering and I will give my 100 percent to it”, he says. Mehran believes that it is the consistency in studies and a proper strategy which can help in topping such exams.
With 489 marks out of 500 in Arts stream, Sana Shafiq, daughter of Shafiq Ahmed Pandit, topped the humanities stream. Sana, a student of Government Girls Higher Secondary. Kothibagh, dedicates her success to her two elder sisters who are pursuing their studies at University of Kashmir.
A resident of Lal Bazar, Sana went for tuitions but dropped the practice as it seemed a ‘wastage of time’ to her. Sana did her schooling till matriculation from Woodlands High School, Srinagar and later joined Kothibagh Girls Higher Secondary. She is now aiming to qualify Civil Service exams, and is also interested in Geography. “Study from the start and study regularly. That is what makes success easy.” Sana says about her success mantra.
Rahila Hafiz, a student of Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Delina, has topped the commerce stream in J&K. “I am thankful to God, my parents and teachers, I always wanted to bring laurels to my family and kept preparing accordingly,” she says. Her father works in education department and her mother is a housewife.
Rahila is now preparing to become a Chartered Accountancy. She suggests that a student has to remain regular with his/ her studies to attain top rank. She did her matriculation from Hanfia School, Delina.
Nuha Bilal, a student of Presentation Convent who is among the five toppers in science stream expressed gratitude to God, her parents and teachers, Nuha, who secured 98 percent, is now preparing for Common Entrance Exam and Joint Entrance Exam (JEE). A resident of Hazratbal, Nuha has been studying regularly and says that her parents have been supporting her in all her aims and ambitions.
Surprisingly, Jamiat-ul-Bannat has come up with good results. Asma Shakeel topped with 98 percent in Home Science. Asma’s father is a mason and her mother is a housewife. Asma is highly thankful to God, family and teacher for her success. Asma qualified her matriculation exams from CMP, Khanyar. Dedicated to religion, Asma studied ten subjects in her Class 12 exams; five for board and five of Aalimiat. She is now bound to dedicate her future to religion.